Hiccups POV
I can officially add "waking up half a limb short" to my list of worst experiences ever. It's right up there next to "Losing my mother" and "never being enough for my father."
Once the initial shock of having a peg leg wore off, I had the grueling task of learning how to walk again staring me in the face. Phil was kind enough to build me the peg leg, but alas, he is not a very good craft smith. It was very uncomfortable and much too tall. It was like wearing one high heel- but of course I didn't tell him that. He seemed so happy that he was helping me walk again, so I just grinned and bared it.
I silently promised myself to build a better one later.
Other than the complete unbalanced awkwardness of the situation, I was exhausted and in so much pain, I occasionally blacked out. Pitch had drained me of literally all my strength. Every time I stood up, I got extremely dizzy and nearly toppled over, but I kept trying, much to Merida's dismay. I was determined to walk again.
Speaking of the red headed lass herself, Merida became my full-time nurse and part-time crutch. Because I was more susceptible to disease in my weakened state, I was not permitted to leave my quarantined room. Merida refused to leave my side even for sleep. She and I ate all our meals together, and she made herself at home on the plush couch in the corner.
"You don't have to stay with me you know." I would tell her.
"I know." She would reply. "I want to."
Early one morning a blast of pain like liquid fire in my veins, shot from my leg, through my entire body. This happened extremely often, and I was usually able to fall back asleep - but I had been experiencing a nightmare and was not particularly eager to return to it. I sat up to massage my stump of a leg, and noticed Merida asleep on the couch. She lay so peacefully and still, that for a moment I doubted that it could possibly be her.
But it was. The early morning sunlight played with her curly hair, making seem like fire. Her breathing however was choppy. I realized she was shivering.
Making as little noise as possible, I got up and hobbled over to her awkwardly; extremely glad her eyes were closed. I draped the blanket from my own bed over her chilled skin. Her breathing evened out almost immediately.
Cautiously, I bent down and brushed my lips across her forehead. "I love you, Merida DunBroch." I whispered in her ear. A small smile formed on her lips.
I managed to crawl back onto my creaking bed rather silently. I slid down onto my pillow. Just before my eyes closed she mumbled "I love you too, Dragon Boy."
Rapunzel's POV
The entire workshop seemed to be at peace. Not just the people, but the building itself gave of a soothing feel. I was more than ecstatic. In fact I was practically bouncing down the hall next to North as we made our way to the banquet. My new father oozed joy and never stopped smiling the entire walk.
I had a family; for real this time.
Everything was perfect until North stopped dead in his tracks. He had a strange look on his face, somewhat resembling realization. My heart began to sink. What if he had changed his mind about me?
"Is everything alright?" I asked timidly, preparing myself for the answer.
He focused on me as if seeing me for the first time. He looked me up and down pacing a slow circle around me. Finally, he stopped in front of me.
"No Rapunzel." he said clasping his giant hands together. "Everything is not alright." My innards turn to stone.
"Look at me my dear." He said. I forced myself to meet his eyes. He towered several feet above me and could have been extremely menacing if he wanted to, but his face was soft.
"I'm thinking a nice snowy white to complement those beautiful eyes." He said. "Jack should like that, huh?" North gently nudged me with his gargantuan elbow.
My mind reeled. Confusion and relief and several, less describable, emotions filled my head. The only thing I could say was "What?"
He laughed. "Your dress of course. You don't plan on attending a black-tie banquet in that do you?" Relieved to the point of laughter, I looked down. I was dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt filled with holes.
"I guess not."
"May I?" he asked, gesturing to my attire. I was still extremely timid after the incident with Pitch but, I nodded slowly. North would never do that to me. Right?
Before I could change my mind, he snapped his fingers. The sound echoed so loudly, I'm pretty sure the Zulu tribe in Africa heard it. Suddenly, I was blinded by an intense white light. My skin tingled and my feet left the floor. I would have yelped, except no sound came out.
Slowly, the light faded through my eyelids and I felt my feet touch down on solid earth once more, but with a defined 'click.'
Peeling my eyes open, I was nearly shocked to death. My tattered jeans were gone, replaced by the most beautiful flowing white dress I had ever seen. It was strapless and slim fit on the top and loosened after my waist, flowing freely around my feet. The fabric shimmered with hidden lilies when I moved. My hair was tied up in an elaborate braid on top of my head adorned with snowy flowers and the purple fabric of my glove had turned to polished silver. I felt like a greek goddess.
North stood close by, beaming at his handy work. "You look absolutely stunning. Give us a spin." I gladly obliged. I felt a little ridiculous spinning around like a top in the hallway, but I didn't care. However, I did nearly topple over onto my face when I tried to stop. Regaining my balance, I managed to retain some of my dignity.
I lifted the skirt to find that North had given me five-inch glittering white pumps. Definitely not my style. "Um…North?" I giggled "I don't do heels."
"Sorry about that my dear." With a wave of his hand, a tendril of light leapt from his fingertips and swirled through the air with such grace, I stared dumbfounded for a moment. The light encased my feet. I felt myself sink several inches, and when I looked down; I wore simple white ballet flats.
"Much better." I said, kissing North on the cheek. He flushed a bright red that matched his suit perfectly. He held out his arm for me like a gentleman. "Shall we?" he asked.
"We shall."
Together we sauntered into the Great Hall. It was quite the scene. Two young, rebellious elves had stolen Bunny's boomerangs and he was desperately trying to get them back, threatening to put them in Easter Eggs for the rest of their lives. Toothiana was fussing over every detail of Jacks appearance (Mostly his teeth, which aroused extreme protest from Jack.) Sandy was just asleep in the corner.
North coughed rather loudly into his fist to get everyone's attention. Sandy was woken with a start when the two elves ran square into him, but everyone else froze, staring at us; or at me. I looked down at the rather boring floor, pretending it was the most interesting thing I had ever seen.
"May I introduce my new daughter, Rapunzel Wind." Everyone stared for a moment in silence, until tooth burst into applause. Everyone else followed suit. North clapped me on the back and nearly sent me sprawling, but I miraculously kept my balance and summoned up the courage to look up from the floor.
I looked each and every one of them in the eyes, until I came to Jack. I locked my gaze with his and refused to look away. He didn't back down either.
"Now, we eat!" North yelled, making me jump several inches into the air. Everyone's eyes shifted from me to their food as they settled in for dinner. That is, everyone except Jack. His eyes stayed glued on mine as a ridiculous smile spread across his lips covering his entire face.
After checking his teeth one final time, Tooth bumped him toward me with her hip.
Recomposing himself, Jack walked toward me. I met him half way.
"You are so hot." He said, a cocky half smile spreading across his lips.
"You're not so bad yourself." I replied.
He laughed, and his eyes lit up in the most attractive way. I forced myself not to melt like a puddle right then and there. I knew I would have his undivided attention all night in that dress and was determined to milk it.
"I mean it." I said. "You look good in a tux."
"Well Rapunzel, drink it in because this is the last time I will ever wear one." He spread his arms and tilted his head back so that I could 'drink him in.' I did.
"Come on Snowball." I said, nudging him. "Let's eat."
"What did you just call me?" he asked, leaving his mouth slightly agape.
"I called you Snowball. Now close your mouth, you'll catch flies, and I will not kiss anyone who has had bugs in their mouth."
I then deliberately turned my back on him and began walking away. I knew he was focusing on one word just as much as I was.
Suddenly, his face appeared directly in front of me, except upside down. "Kiss?" he asked a seductive purr to his voice.
I put my finger on his nose and gently pushed the floating boy away. "If you're lucky."
"Yes ma'am" I heard him say behind me.
Jack never took his eyes off of me except for a few short moments the entire night. He was quite the gentleman as well. He even pulled out my chair for me with a comical bow.
The food was fantastic. It ranged from apple tarts garnished in cream cheese, to lobster marinated in lemon. Every bite was delicious. The evening was fantastic, except for the fact that two chairs were empty and I was not allowed in to see their occupants until Hiccup was cleared from quarantine.
North rose from his seat and clinked his fork on his glass. Unfortunately, the glass was more fragile than he thought, and it shattered. Needless to say, all conversation stopped. He cleared his throat.
"My friends, now it is time for what this banquet is really about. Jackson frost, Rapunzel Wind, please stand."
We did as we were told. I looked to Jack for an explanation, but he was just as confused as I was.
"While not all of the heroes we wish to honor are here with us tonight, we can still celebrate these two. Our young friends fought valiantly against Pitch Black. They were courageous in the face of danger and have forever earned the title of hero." I felt my cheeks growing hot with embarrassment. I was never very good at accepting flattery.
"They have proven mastery over their respect magic and shall be rewarded. Jackson Frost, please raise your right hand." he did as he was asked, the fabric of his silvery glove shimmering like newly fallen snow in the candlelight.
"My boy, you demonstrated courage and strength when the odds were against you. You never gave up and for your actions you will be rewarded."
A tendril of light sprung once again from North's fingers and encased Jacks raised hand. Jacks breath hitched in his throat when the light touched him. When it melted away, his hand was bare. When he turned his palm over a silver design adorned his palm. When I looked closer, I realized it was a crescent moon.
"Congratulations, Jack. Guardian of Joy and Son of the Moon." Jack sat back down, inspecting his palm.
"Rapunzel Wind. Please raise your right hand." Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach as I raised my hand as I was told. Jack grabbed my other hand and squeezed it before letting go.
"Rapunzel, my new daughter, you have shown great intellect and wisdom in perilous danger. You kept your head and used your brain when all seemed lost. You showed courage I have never seen before, and for you actions, you shall be rewarded."
Another burst of light encased my hand. The tips of my fingers tingled and pain suddenly seared through my palm. Just as Jacks breath had stopped, mine stuck in my throat the pain was so intense. I could not cry out.
Then, as quickly as it had come, the pain disappeared, along with the light. My palm shone with a design similar to Jacks except, my palm was covered by a blossoming sun.
"Congratulations, Rapunzel. Guardian of Creativity, and Daughter of the Sun." I plopped back down in my seat. Jack intertwined his hand with mine and did not let go for the duration of dessert. Once I had finished my bizarre but delicious chocolate and honey pastry, Jack stood and said "I'm absolutely stuffed. Shall we go for a walk Rapunzel?"
"That would be lovely" I replied, taking his outstretch hand. I stood beside him and he whispered in my ear "I want to show you something."
"It was lovely North." I said "Thank you." he nodded contentedly.
As we turned to leave, I caught Bunny making kissy faces at Jack and in return, Jack sticking his stark white tongue out before steering me through a side door I hadn't even known existed.
He led me through several twists and turns, holding my hand the entire time. His cool skin felt extremely good against mine. I savored every moment, fearing that he might be taken from me again. I didn't know how spot on that fear was.
We talked about all manner of things, and the words simply flowed. It was so easy to be with him. I was always calmed by his presence.
Eventually, we stopped in the middle of the hall beside a floor-to-ceiling mirror. My heart sank as I remembered Gothel asking me what I saw in the mirror, then only complementing herself.
Jack relinquished his grip on me just long enough to run his hand along the side of the mirror and press a hidden button. It swung open to reveal a darkened corridor. I made a mental note to further investigate the secret passages of the Workshop.
Jack led me inside and the door slammed shut behind us. Everything went black. I clung tightly to Jack as my time with Pitch flashed before my eyes. He wrapped a protective arm around me, sensing my fear and whispered in my ear. "Look."
Slowly, small lights flicked to life on the ceiling and the walls. Minuscule fireflies crawled along the walls and flew through the air. Their light was not enough to illuminate the passage, but they did make it look like we were walking through the night sky. "It's so beautiful." I mumbled, afraid any loud noises might disrupt the fireflies.
"There's more." Jack whispered in my ear. It sent the most delightful shiver down my spine.
He led me through the night sky of fireflies since I had no idea where I was and eventually through a wall of chilled vines.
On the other side, instead of dark and black, everything was white. The beautiful weeping willow sagged even more under a coating of snow. The fresh powered coated the ground as well. The only dry land was a path just wide enough for two, leading to a gorgeous paper white gazebo. Stark white lilies and forget-me-nots blossomed straight out of the snow as if they were meant for winter.
Jack clapped his hands together twice and strands of Christmas light illuminated them, making the snow glitter like diamonds. They were strung precariously through the trees and wrapped around the gazebo. Everything was so beautiful. Everything was perfect. It even began to snow lightly.
"Jack I-" I tried to express how happy I was but no words escaped my lips.
"You're welcome." Jack said. "I'm glad you like it." Together we walked to the gazebo. My North-original gown swished silently through the snow but did not get wet. I love magic.
Once we reached the shelter of the gazebo, a sweet waltz played, coming from the air itself. "May I have this dance?" jack asked.
"Why of course sir." I replied.
He pulled me into him and led me around the floor. We fit together perfectly, gliding through space and time like one beautiful machine. Our hearts fell in sync when I looked into his icy blue eyes. The rest of the world fell away. The only thing that mattered was Jack.
The music stopped and gradually so did we, though we did not part in the slightest. After a moment of sweetened silence, jack said "I really want to kiss you."
"What are you waiting for?" I asked.
"Permission."
I laughed and brought my lips to his, pulling him into me. He tasted so good, like peppermint and ice and so many other things that mixed together perfectly. It was not like the last time we had kissed, friendly and timid. This kiss was sweet and romantic, full of passion. For the first time in my life, i felt beautiful. I felt like a woman. Then it all fell apart.
We pulled away from each other, but darkness began to creep into my vision. My body became cold, and my ankle began to burn terribly, where the spider had bitten me. I heard a maliciously triumphant laugh emanate from the shadows. I tasted blood, and my world went black.
.Dun. tune in soon to find out what happens
P.S. for those of you who didn't understand I thought Norths last name would be Wind (North Wind, get it) and Rapunzel adopted the name after he adopted her.
P.P.S. I will be putting pictures of everyone's banquet attire on my tumblr account if your curious.